February 11, (THEWILL) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said it has partnered with Akwa Ibom state government to enhance transparency, accountability and good governance in the last two years.
The state team lead – USAID state accountability, transparency and effective state to state Activity for Akwa Ibom, Borve Paago- Imabel, discussed these in Uyo during a two day training workshop organized by the Agency for Members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, saying that the Agency has worked with state government to bring good governance and accountability in the state.
He listed some of the achievements of the Agency to include: Development of State Budget Calendar, Standard Operations Manual for PFM MDAs and development of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for 2022-2024 Fiscal Years.
Others include full migration of the 2022 state budget to the National Charts of Accounts template with support from Nigeria Governor’s Forum, support to Akwa Ibom state Internal Revenue Services in revenue expansion as well as state communication strategy.
“Permit me to mention few key achievements recorded since inception in 2021: Development of State Budget Calendar, Standard Operations Manual for PFM MDAs, development of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for the 2022-2024 Fiscal Years.
“Full migration of the 2022 state budget to the National Charts of Accounts template with support from the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, support to Akwa Ibom state Internal Revenue Services in revenue expansion, the state communication strategy documents.”
He said the workshop was the beginning of a strategic engagement of the state House of Assembly for reforms in governance envisaged by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“This activity marks the commencement of a strategic engagement process with the state House of Assembly which will define and drive a need driven technical support process to this all important arm of government under the United State Agency for International Development – USAID’s flagship governance reforms activity – State Transparency, Accountability and Effectiveness Activity.”
He however appreciated the state governor Udom Emmanuel for provision of the befitting office for the Agency as well as formation of the state Transformation Committee headed by the Commissioner of Finance Mr Linus Nkan.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Aniekan Bassey appealed to USAID for proper time to engage all members in subsequent training.
The speaker who was represented at the event by the House Committee chairman on finance and Appropriation, Hon Uduak Odudo, maintained that the activities of USAID is noted in the state within a short period and urged the agency to continue in their good work for better governance.
One of the participants, Hon Mark Esset representing Nsit Atai State constituency said the workshop have helped members of the Assembly to refresh on their oversight functions.
He therefore appealed to the Agency to always hold such workshop outside the state to avoid destractions.
